A meeting of like minds
MCCC held its first retreat for CEOs on July 13-15, 2007 at Sofitel Palm Resort in Johor Bahru. Twelve CEOs and senior management people, including their wives, attended the event. MCCC National Coverage Ministry director Richard Koh and John Tiong, a CEO with a Sarawak company, co-hosted the retreat. Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili, minister in the Prime Minister's Department, attended the dinner on the first night and gave a speech.
The three days provided the participants with a spiritual feast. They learnt a lot from the speakers and each other. On the last day there was a challenge to follow Christ and those who responded were commissioned for their ministry in the marketplace.
The speakers were experts and leaders in their fields but they shared with humility. They were Dr Tom Roxas, president of the International School of Leadership-Asia. He is also director of affairs, CCC Southeast Asia. His team members comprised Dr Andrew Luison, president of Cityland Devt Corp, and Dr Mike Morales, the former director of Center for Academic Excellence, Philippine Military Academy and an API Senior Fellow, who joined the Philippines CCC this year.
The speakers were powerful witnesses for God who proclaimed the Word and walked their talk. They each had a wonderful and powerful story to tell.
Patrick Lim, one of the participants at the retreat, commented, "I have learnt from the speakers and CCC staff alike the value and impact of a lifetime commitment in following Christ. There is an overwhelming feeling of satisfaction and gratitude in giving all for the service of extending God's kingdom here on earth. I am challenged to emulate Dr Luison, Dr Roxas and Dr Morales as well as CCC staff. I have started asking God for a vision and to grant me the strength to submit to His leading."
Even though not many executives joined the retreat we believe each of them has great potential to impact the marketplace. One participant commented that the number of participants was a comfortable one. Those who are CEOs prefer a small group setting for more open sharing.
There was also a Q&A session chaired by Dr Herbert Tan, MCCC National Community Ministry director. When asked how an executive could walk with another executive, Dr Roxas shared from his personal experience: "Pray for them, pray with them, be there for them when there are crises, do things with them and spend time with them."
Participants were given an opportunity to respond to the messages and think about application. This was facilitated by William Lim, assistant to the director of CCC's East Asia Area Regional Office in Singapore. They came up with some local and national-level plans. All of them look forward to the next executive retreat and trust God to raise many influencers for His kingdom.
by Hong Yee Min
